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GRAVENSTEIN APPLE CELEBRATION

August 21-22, 2010
The Hood River County Fruit Loop
Hood River, OR

Gravenstein apples, the favorite of cooks everywhere, are the focus of a weekend event featuring apples, wonderful apple treats, wine tasting, country fun for the whole family, and beautiful Hood River Valley scenery. Enjoy the Gravenstein Apple Celebration, Aug. 21-22….

Wonderful apple pies, delicious apple crisp, tasty applesauce….exceptional desserts begin with exceptional apples. Gravenstein apples are considered “the best” by many bakers and cooks for pies, applesauce and desserts. The 18th annual Gravenstein Apple Celebration is set to take place all along the scenic Hood River County Fruit Loop, Saturday and Sunday, August 21-22, serving up a weekend of relaxed country fun and delicious food for the whole family.

Gravensteins are flavorful “eating” apples, too. But the Gravenstein season is early and short; those seeking these great apples often arrive too late in the Hood River Valley harvest season to find them. The Gravenstein Apple Celebration highlights their availability.

A wonderful old variety, tracing their history back to at least 1670 in Denmark, Gravensteins do not store well for long periods of time. They are truly special—and worthy of a celebration!

Participating fruit stands and attractions all along the famous Fruit Loop winding through Hood River County orchards will have Gravensteins during the Gravenstein Apple Celebration, as well as offering lots more produce, products, and fun. Admission to Fruit Loop farms and attractions is free. In addition to Gravenstein apples and apple treats, some farms and wineries have special offerings during the event.

At the Draper Girls Country Farm, it’s the “U-pick Gravenstein Extravaganza and More.” Enjoy the fun of picking your own Gravensteins, try fresh-pressed non-pasteurized Gravenstein cider, or enjoy their famous pear and cherry ciders. They will also have U-pick peaches and akane apples. Take time to enjoy spectacular scenery, free horseback rides for kids, and meet the animals at the petting zoo. There’ll also be lots of ready-picked fruit and produce.

Cody Orchards Fruit Stand focuses on Gravensteins and country fun all weekend, with orchard tours, apple cider, apple pies, carameled apples, apple games for kids, and lots of crisp Gravensteins. Mexican food is available, too.

Enjoy all kinds of family fun at Rasmussen Farms, including the Chicken Dance pie walk, games for kids, and the opening of the popular free Corn Maze. The maze theme this year is “Where’s Waldo?” There will be Gravenstein apples, apple pie recipes, and fresh cider. Lots of other fresh-picked produce, and fields of sunflowers, too!

Apple Valley Country Store, Bakery & BBQ features delicious Gravenstein Apple Dumplings, stuffed with sugar and spices, wrapped in perfectly-baked flaky pie crust. They’ll also have fresh-baked apple pies, crisps, and cobblers. Their country barbecue will be serving up cherry wood-smoked barbecue ribs, and pork and chicken sandwiches, with cider baked beans and pear coleslaw alongside.

The Gravenstein Celebration at Pearl’s Place means plenty of wonderful Gravenstein apples from their own glacier-fed Viewmont Orchards. Sample the old-fashioned flavor that makes the tangy Gravenstein a fabulous pie and sauce apple prized by so many.

Visit Cascade Alpacas, to meet alpacas and cute alpaca babies. At their delightful Foothills Yarn & Fiber full-service yarn shop, there’ll be a trunk show featuring wonderful Cascade Yarns, producer of the best-selling yarn in the U.S., Cascade 220. See hand knit garments and other items sure to inspire creativity.

Cathedral Ridge Winery celebrates Gravensteins and the hard-working Fruit Loop farmers who grow them, with a special offer August 21-22. Visit one or more local farms and purchase Gravenstein apples or Gravenstein apple products, then show your purchase at the winery, and enjoy two tastes of award-winning Cathedral Ridge wines for the price of one. (A $5 value.)

There are many more great stops along the Fruit Loop. Why not bring a lunch and make family memories of a country picnic at one of the free picnic sites made available by Fruit Loop members? And, of course, there will be plenty of those marvelous Gravenstein apples, as well as other early autumn fruit, fresh produce, flowers, gourmet food products and bakery goods, and much more.

Most farms and attractions along the Fruit Loop are open from at least 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (wineries open at 11 a.m.). For complete information about the Gravenstein Apple Celebration, for a listing of Fruit Loop farms, attractions and individual operating hours, and for an easy-to-follow map, visit the Fruit Loop website at www.hoodriverfruitloop.com. Printed copies are available at the Hood River County Visitors Center (Hood River exit 64 off Interstate 84), at area restaurants and lodging facilities, and at Fruit Loop locations. Have additional questions? Call the Fruit Loop information number at 541-386-7697.
Information at www.hoodriverfruitloop.com, or call 541-387-4769.

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